Breech-closure for mortars and the like.



F. JANTSCH.

BREECH CLOSURE FOR MORTARS ANDTHE LIKE.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 28. l9l5. 1,161,686. Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

AFIGL in sr'rns rarer rrro FRANZ JANTSCH, OF GABLONZ, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

BREECH-CLOSURE FOR MORTARS Arm THE LIKE.

the Kingdom of Bohemia and Empire of Austria-Hungary, have invented new and useful Improvements in Breech-Closures for Mortars and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved breech-closure for mortars or cannons of the kind used for firing salutes, joyshots, signaling purposes and the like.

According to this invention the breechplug is provided with a device capable of holding the cartridge which is to be introduced into the gun or tube of the mortar or the like, and the striking-pin movable within the breech-plug is retained in its position of rest, as long as the breech-plug is not inserted into the mortar or the like and is not locked in its working position. In this way,

the danger of an undue igniting of the cartridge taking place out of the mortar or the like and without the breech-plug being locked in the interior of the mortar and the like is avoided, even when the breech-closure together with the cartridge is dropped by inadvertence.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar letters of reference relate to corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a form of execution of my improved arrangement. Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sections on line AB of Fig. 1, said cross-sections showing the movable parts of the device in two different positions. Fig. 4 is a front view toward the inner end of the breech-closure.

Referring now to the drawings the cylindrical breech-plug a; is provided with two handles 1) and on its periphery with a projection or nose 0 which engages into a corresponding recess or notch (Z at the extremity of the gun or tube of the mortar and the like so as to keep the breech-plug in its proper position. Within the breechplug the striking-pin or percussion-bolt f is axially movable against the action of a spring or coil 9. Said striking-pin is secured in its position of rest (Figs. 1 and 2) by a resilient bolt h which is provided with an aperture 2' for passage of the larger part of the striking-pin f, said aperture 2' having Specification off Letters Patent.

striking-pin of less diameter. of a spring or coil the bolt h is forced into Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

Application filed July 28,1915. Serial No. 42,307.

'a small downwardly directed extension 0 adapted to receive only the part of the By the action its locking position, in which the projecting larger part of the striking pin rests agalnst said bolt 72,. In the locking position (Figs.

1 and 2) the upper extremity of thebolt it penetrates into a lateral recess l of the breech-plug a. In this recess Z is engaged a bolt m transversely movable in the gun or tube of the mortar and the like. Said bolt m can be shifted to and fro by meansof a handle a adapted to act upon an eccentric 2) keyed upon a shaft 0 supported by the eX- tremity of the gun or tube of the mortar and the like. To this purpose the eccentric 72 engages in a cam-shaped recess Q of the bolt m.

The extremity of the breech-plug serving as an abutment for thecartrid-ge r is provided with an upwardly directed lateral recess s for receiving the back 1" of the cartridge. To this effect the edge of the cartridge is shoved transversely into said recess 8.

The manipulation and mode of operation of the breech-closure forming the object of my invention are the following: The breechplug a, after the striking-pin or percussion bolt 72, being secured in its position of rest and the cartridge 2" having been inserted into the lateral recess a, is introduced into the posterior extremity of the gun or tube of the mortar and the like, so that the projection or nose 0 registers with the recess (1. Subsequently, the bolt m intended for looking the breech-plug in its position of work (Fig. 3) is moved by means of the handle 72, so that said bolt m drives back the resilient bolt h. In consequence thereof the larger aperture 11 of the bolt h registers with the part of the striking-pin f of larger diameter, so that the striking-pin can freely move in a forward direction. Now, the cartridge can be ignited by percussion upon the strikingpin, whereby the mortar or the like is fired.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is z 1. In a firearm, in combination, a breechplug, a striking-pin mounted within the breech-plug, resilient means for maintaining the striking-pin normally in retracted, inoperative position, a locking member for the striking-pin adapted normally to obstruct the latter to prevent its movement fix ed Within the breeclrp'lug and being pro-V vided with a shoulder, resilient means for maintaining the str1k1ng-p1n normally 1n re- 7 tracted, inoperative position, a locking memher for the striking-pin mounted Within the breech plug recess, resilient means for normally maintaining the said locking member in operative position in engagement with the shoulder of the striking-pin to lock the latter, and a locking member for the breechplug mounted Withinthe firearm breech :and

Within the breech-plug and provided With a shoulder, resilient means for maintaining the striking-pin normally in retracted, inoperative position, a locking member for the striking pin mounted within the breech-plug recess, resilient means for normally maintaining the said locking member in operative position in engagement with the shoulder of the striking-pin to lock the latter, a locking memberfor the breech-plug mount ed Within the firearm breechand adapted to be engaged Within the breech-plug recess when the said plug arrives at its operative position, the last-named locking member being adapted to engage the locking member for the striking-pin to move the same into in- -operative'position, and means provided exadapted to be engaged Within the 'breechplug recess when the said plug arrives at its operative position, the last-named locking member being adapted to engage the locking member for the striking-pin to move the same into inoperative position.

3. In a firearm, in combination, a 'breechplug having a recess, a striking-pin mounted teriorly upon the firearm by which the locking member for: the breech-plug maybe 0perated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANZ J ANTSCH.

itnesses FRANZ SIMON, JURMANN MISOHEK.

7 Copies of this patent may .be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6. 

